Cradle for flat batteries



1949- c. G. NELSON I 2,478,887

CRADLE FO R FLAT BATTERIES Filed Aug. 19, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

CLIFFORD G. NELSON.

- MW Jw J HTTOQNEYS.

1949. I c. G. NELSON 2,478,887

CRADLE FOR FLAT BATTERIES I Filed Aug. 19, 1948 2 Shets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR.

CLIFFORD G. NELSON.

#7 T TORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 9, 1949 CBADLE FOR FLAT BATTERIES Clifford G. Nelson, Stougliton, Wls., "liner to Ray-O-Vac Company,

ration of Wisconsin Application August 19, 1948, serial No. 45.145

n, la, a com- 11 Claims. (Cl. 136-173) This invention relates to cradles or supports for dry cell batteries and in particular dry cells which have both terminals at one end of the battery and in which the battery preferably is so shaped or flattened as to have a pair of relatively wide sides and a pair of relatively narrower edges. With more particularity the invention relates to such a holder wherein the polarity of the current from the holder will not be changed regardless of which side of the battey is placed in operative position on the holder.

There has been developed within the recent past a type of dry cell battery formed of a plurality of superimposed stacks of relatively flat disc-like cells. When said stacks are placed sideby-side and provided with a suitable sheath or covering it is possible to arrange the connections between the individual cells in such a manner that both the positive and the negative battery terminals are positioned at the same end of the battery. This is contrasted with the conventional cylindrical dry cell battery which has a central polar terminal at one end and whereinthe base of the metallic container or sheath provides the other terminal.

The relatively newer multiple-stacked, multiple-cell batteries have a number of desirable characteristics, one of which is that they may be shaped in an approximation of a flattened rectangular plate, having rounded or angular corners as desired. By virtue of their shape such flattened batteries may be used in small, compact devices such as pocket radio sets, portable or pocket hearing aid sets and the like, wherein the bulk of the container must be minimized. The conventional cylindrical dry cell battery occupies too much bulk and because of its end-to-end terminal connections requires the provision of circuit connections which also use up space within the set container.

Pocket battery sets, portable, pocket hearing aid sets and the like can be, and have been designated in small, compact containers adapted to use the flattened, multiple-cell, multiple-stacked batteries discussed above. In such devices the feature of employing such a battery, or such batteries, presents no great problem to those skilled in the art, 'once the device has been designed. However, provision must be made for the replacing of discharged batteries with fresh ones and careful consideration must be given to the lack of knowledge of electricity and electrical devices which characterizes many if not most of the users of such devices. The aged, infirm, or electrically ignorant are not capable of distinguishing between the positive and the negative terminals of a battery.

This invention is aimed at making it possible for the user of a compact, pocket radio, or portable hearing aid or the like, to replace a disfresh battery without reor polarity regardless of without regard charged battery with a versing the terminals how he installs the battery and to his lack of electrical knowledge.

It is an object of this invention therefore to provide a cradle or support for a dry cell battery which has both terminals at one end of the battery. A further object is to provide such a cradle possessing battery terminal connections which insure constant polarity regardless of how the battery is placed on the cradle. A stil1 further object is the provision of a cradle or support which will hold a battery in operative position, yet permit its removal with ease and permit its replacement with a fresh battery without danger of reversing the polarity of the current due to improper installation of the fresh battery.

Other objects will be apparent from the following description and with reference to the attached drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like or similar elements. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective assembly view of a holder for a dry cell;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view partly in cross-section of the assembly of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view, partly in cross-section of a multi-stack battery partially broken away and showing a terminal unit adopted for use in the cradle;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the contact plates;

Figure 5 is an end view of the plate shown in F e.

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the same plate;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an insulating plate;

Figure 8 is an end view of the insulating plate;

Figure 9 is the side elevation of the insulating plate;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a lower contact plate;

Figure 11 is the end view of this contact plate;

Figure 12 is aside elevation of the same plate; and

Figure 13 is a top view of a typical multi-stack battery.

In the embodiment illustrated in the figures of the drawings and in particular of Figures 1 and 2, i represents a base which may be any desired surface in a vertical or. horizontal plane and which may be a'shelf, table-top or any other similar fixed support or which may be part of a receptacle or closure for hearing aids, or radios and, in fact, any structure in which it is desirable to insert one or more battery cells. Suitably mounted on the base I is a constant polarity contact unit formed of contact plate In, insulating plate 20 and contact plate 30. Mounted on support I, at a predetermined distance from the contact unit is a spring member 60.

With reference now to Figures 4, 5, and 6 of the drawings, plate l comprises a base portion II and a vertical flange at one end thereof, I2, in which at predetermined points are provided a pair of inverted U-shaped slots. or orifices, l3. Desirably the slots l3 will be relatively long and narrow for purposes hereinafter described. Desirably these slots or oriflces may be punched out of the flange l2 in such a manner as to leave a pair of fins or flanges l4 which stand outwardly and rearwardly from the vertical flange l2 along both side walls of each of the slots l3. A plurality of holes |5 and a plurality of similar holes l6 are punched through the base ll of the plate l0. Desirably the diameter of these holes are approximately the diameter of the shank of a suitable conventional rivet. A plurality of holes ll of larger diameter than either holes l5 or 5 and of a size larger than the head of a conventional rivet are punched out of base Desirably the edge l8 of the flange |2 will be rolled into a, lip I8 as shown in Figure 6 of the draw-' mgs.

An insulating plate 2|! of any suitable non-conducting material of approximate similarity with respect to its overall dimensions as compared to those of plate 4 is provided with a base 2| and a, vertical flange or end 22 in which are provided a pair of U-shaped slots 23, 23 the width of each of which approximates the width of the slots IS. A plurality of holes 25, 26 and2l are pierced through the base 2| of the insulating plate, these holes being all of approximately the same size as the holes I 5 and I6. These holes are so placed as to be in alignment with holes l5, l6 and I1 when plate is superimposed on top of plate I 0.

Referring now to Figures 10, 11 and 12, it will be observed that contact plate 30 and a base 3| and a pair of vertically disposed ears 32, 32 at one end thereof. Each oi the cars is provided with a U-shaped notch or slot 33 which is wider than slots l3 or 23. The cars 32 are desirably bent as shown at 38 to provide resilient, friction contact with battery terminals of selected size. Base 3| is provided with a plurality of aligned holes 35, 36 and 31 which are adapted for alignment with holes l5 and 25, I6 and 26, and I1 and 21, respectively.

When assembled as shown in Figures 1 and 12 it will be observed that contact plate I0 occupies the lowermost position adjacent base support I while insulation plate 20 is sandwiched between contact plate Ill and uppermost contact plate 30. It will also be observed from Figures 4 and 10 that holes .I I, 35 and 36 are larger than any of the remaining holes l5, I6, 25, 26, 21 and 31, being in fact adapted to accommodate a suitable rivet-head without permitting electrical contact between the rivet-head and the inner periphery of said larger holes. Consequently, when rivets 55, 56, and 51 are inserted in place and headed, the rivets 55 hold contact plate l0 and insulating plate 20 closely together and hold the entire cradle in place on base support I. Rivets 56 hold contact plate I!) and insulating plate 23 closely together. The upper heads of all rivets 55 and 56 are out of electrical and mechanical contact with contact plate 30. Rivets5'l hold insulating plate 20 and contact plate 30 closely together. The bottom heads of rivets 5'! are out of electrical and mechanical contact with contact plate II).

By means of suitable rivets 52 the bottom flange Ill 5| of spring 50 is aflixed to base support at such a position as will insure that spring 50 exerts resilient pressure against the normally insulated bottom of the battery. It is desired that spring 50 be so tensioned and so positioned as to press against the base of the battery and hold the battery and hold the battery terminals in contact with the desired portions of vertical flanges l2 and 32 of contact plates l0 and 30.

Turning now to Figure 3 of the drawing, there.

will be seen one arrangement of battery terminals adapted for use with the battery cradle of the invention. In Figure 3, 40 represents generally the battery which is preferably comprised of a plurality of substantially parallel stacks, each stack comprising a plurality of superimposed individual cells. By suitably arranging the cells in each stack and by providing suitable conductor bars or elements (not shown) the negative pole of the battery composite may make contact with and hold the post in place on the insulating coating 4|. The rivet head on the post is positioned below the coating 4| and in contact with the negative pole of the battery composite. Desirably positive terminal 43 is a relatively flattened circular disc likewise provided with a rivet head adapted to hold the disc in place on the insulating coating and in contact, below the coating, with the positive pole of the battery composite.

Figure 13 shows a top view of a battery such as is particularly shown in Figure 3 and wherein for reference in this specification one side of the battery has been designated 44 while the opposite side designated 45.

The diameter, taken through any horizontal plane, of terminal 42 is such, and its position with respect to the sides and edges of the'battery is such that when either side 44 or 45 of the battery is placed on the cradle, terminal 42 willbe out of contact with any edge of either of notches 33 on contact plate 30. However, the said horizontal diameter of terminal 42 and its length will permit terminal 42 to be placed in fairly snug engagement with'slots 23 of insulating plate 20 and with the sides of slots l3 of contact plate Hi. It will be observed that the depth of slots 23 in insulating plate 20 is less than the depth of slots 33 in upper contact plate 30 so that slots 23 will tend to support terminal 42 above and out of shortcircuiting contact with the troughs of slots 33. It will also be observed that the inverted U-shape of slots |3 in contact plate Ill provides an upper contact surface (the inverted base of the U) in addition to the sides of the slot and additionally provides a restraining stop against undesired vertical movement of terminal 42. To provide additional lateral surface, the lateral edges l4 of slots |3 are flanged outwardly and thus insure contact with the sides of terminal 42 when inserted there between.

The diameter, taken through a horizontal plane, of terminal 43 is such that it cannot penetrate between the walls of either of slots 33 and its flattened heighth is such that it is adapted to amass? contact the outwardly struck portions of one of the ears 3!.

It is thus apparent that regardless of which side 44 or 45 of the battery is laid lowermost on the cradle, the battery will be insulated from contact plate 30 and spring clip 50 .by its insulating covering. Terminal 42 will be out of contact with any part of flange 32 but will be in desired contact I with the walls of a slot i3 on-flange i2. Similar ly, terminal I! will invariably be in contact with one of the cars 32. to a suitable positive lead wire leading to the positive side of a radio, or hearing aid circuit and by connecting plate 30 to a suitable negative lead wire of such circuit constant polarity is always insured even when the battery is placed on the cradle by one completely unskilled in the art. Moreover, the battery will be held in place and in desired contact relationship, secured against 1 undesired horizontal or lateral displacement.

I claim: 1. A constant polarity battery cradle, adapted Thus by connecting plate ll for use with flattened, dry cell batteries which have both battery terminals at the same end of the battery, said cradle comprising a pair of flanged contact plates, the bases and flanges of which are insulated by a flanged insulating plate, the said three plates being arranged as superimposed laminations, a plurality of coacting slots in the flanges of each of the said three plates, the said slots being so proportioned as to insure electrical contact between one of the battery terminals and the outermost contact plate and to insure electrical contact between the other of said battery terminals and the innermost contact plate whenever either flattened side of said battery is placed on said cradle.

2.- A constant polarity battery cradle, adapted 4. A constant polarity battery cradle, adapted for use with flattened dry cell batteries which have both battery terminals at the same end of the battery, said cradle comprising a contact plate having a vertical flange at one end thereof, a plurality of slots insaid flange, an insulating platehaving a vertical flange at one end thereof and adapted to be superimposed on .said contact plate, another contact plate having a vertical flange at one end thereof and being adapted to be superimposed on said insulating plate, slots in the flanges of said insulating platev and said other contact plate, said slots being adapted to register in part with the slots ,"of said first contact plate, the slots on said superimposed other contact plate being wider than said other slots and being deeper than the slots in said insulating plate, and resilient battery supporting means disposed adjacent said plates at the ends thereof remote from said flanges.

5. A constant polarity battery cradle, adapted for use with flattened dry cell batteries which have both battery terminals at the same end of the battery, said cradle comprising a first conducting plate, a superimposed insulating plate and a second conducting plate superimposed on said insulating plate, each of said three plates for use with flattened dry cell batteries which have both battery terminals at the same end of the battery, said cradle comprising a pair of flanged contact plates, the bases and flanges of which are insulated by a flanged insulating plate, the said three plates being arranged as superimposed laminations, a plurality of coactingslots in the flanges of each of the said three plates, the said slots being so proportioned as to insure electrical contact between one of the battery terminals and the outermost contact plate and to in? sure electrical contact between the other of said battery terminals and the innermost contact plate whenever either flattened side of said battery is placed on said cradle, and resilient means adapted to urge said battery anditsterminals toward said slotted flanges.

8. A constant polarity battery cradle, adapted for usewith flattened dry cell batteries which 1 be superimposed on said insulating plate, slots in the flanges. of said insulating plate and said other contact plate", said slots being adapted to register in part with the slots of said first contact. a

plate, the slots on said superimposed other contact plate being wider than said otherslots and being .deeper than the slots in said insulating P te.

having an integral vertical flange at the same end thereof, a pair of slots in the flange of said first conducting plate, a pair of slots in the flange of said insulating plate, said slots being of substantially the same width as said slots in said first conducting plate, a pair of slots in the flange of said second conducting plate, said slots being relatively wider and deeper than the slots in said insulating plate.

6. The device defined in claim 5 wherein a resilient battery restraining member is associated with said three plates at the ends thereof remote from said flanges. '7. The device defined in claim 6 wherein the slots in said first conducting plate are inverted U-shaped and provided with lateral fins along the vertical edges thereof.

8. The device defined in claim 'I wherein the slots in said insulating plate are U-shaped and wherein the base of each slot terminates'below the inverted base of the slots in said first conducting piate.

9. The device defined in claim 8 wherein the of said cars is crimped to provide a resilient contact surface.

11. The device defined in claim 10 wherein the slots in said second conducting plate are U- shaped and each said slot is substantially centered in one of said ears.

CLIFFORD G. NELSON.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,471,739 Kammerhoif Oct. 23, 1933 2,449,550 Eichberg et al. Sept. 21, 188 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date- 39,355 mmll'k (Dam) 00$. 2. 1928 

